6 Tips on How to Avoid Being Screwed by a Non-Profit

youngist:

By Jade(d)

So you’ve just graduated from college and you want to change the world. Good for you. The non-profit sector seems like a natural place for a justice-minded person such as yourself, and nonprofits are almost always hiring because the turnover rate is so high. But you may find the social justice industry to be… a little unjust. Here are a few tips and tricks for how to avoid being exploited by a nonprofit.

Don’t work at one. Seriously. Working at a non-profit generally involves at least some level of exploitation. (When was the last time you saw a non-profit with a union?) If this doesn’t deter you, figure out what you’re willing to give up: Is it sleep? Weekends? Seeing your friends? Most non-profit workers do not work 9-5. Working nights and weekends is common. Paid overtime is not. Non-profits tend to make you feel like if you are not willing to work 24/7 then you are not “down for the cause.” That’s bullshit. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel like you’re not “down enough” because you are not willing to sacrifice your well-being for “the movement.” People who don’t take care of themselves burn out and often become jaded and bitter. You can’t sustain “the movement” if you don’t sustain yourself.

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keeping just a few of these in mind.

“What is it that binds us to this place as to no other? It is not the well, or the bell, or the stone walls, or the crisp October nights or the memory of dogwoods blooming. Our loyalty is not only to William Richardson Davie, though we are proud of what he did 200 years ago today. Nor even to Dean Smith, though we are proud of what he did last March. No, our love for this place is based on the fact that it is as it was meant to be, the University of the people.”

—

C. Kuralt

here’s to the Class of 2013

High-Res

theonlymagicleftisart:

(Ana Cabaleiro)

I am afraid that if I don’t put it down here, or somewhere, in it’s broken entirety, I won’t keep it straight.

Lately showers have been the locale of minor existential crises. Impending graduation, which feels like the death of something (or many things), rather than a new beginning to be honest. When I think about things come July, August, my mind swirls and deceives and I’m not sure what path should be taken. LA for the year —> Peace Corps, leaving my life behind in NC, does this feel logical? Or stay, stay, stay, work my resources here, hope for the best, and fear that I’ve missed the boat on a few things (but forcing myself to remember that I haven’t, really (read: Peace Corps)).

because then there’s you and you and you. moving across the country makes me nervous about leaving all of them, and while I know I could do it, would I be happy? would i miss out? does this life even have a trajectory?

so many thoughts, this eve before my final final.

take care, be safe and remember the stars (remember to hope, remember to love. these are my guiding words, but sometimes they are the hardest for me to repeat.

for now, remembering; you kissing my forehead on that rainy Saturday morning when i first knew for sure there was something,